Security Council Press Statement

Terrorist attack against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization

Mission in Mali
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the complex terrorist
attack on 12 February 2016 against the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Kidal, during which six
peacekeepers from Guinea were killed, and many others injured.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to
the families of the victims, as well as to the Governments of Guinea and Mali.
The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate
this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that those responsible for the
attack should be held accountable. They underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may
constitute war crimes under international law.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers,
financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. They stressed that
those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in
accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council
resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and
unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever
committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law,
including international human rights law, international refugee law and international
humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the
French forces that support it. They reiterated their strong support for the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Mr Mahamat Saleh Annadif, and for
MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring
lasting peace and stability to their country, including through MINUSMAs support to the
implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, and paid tribute to
the peacekeepers who risk their lives in this respect.
The members of the Security Council expressed their concern about the security situation,
including the expansion of terrorist and criminal activities into central and southern Mali.
They noted that the full implementation of the Agreement and the intensification of efforts to
overcome asymmetric threats can help to contribute to improving the security situation across
Mali.
12 February 2016